RuthE Tobey - English 8 - Essex Intermediate School

2/14/11
Right now, I am exploring ideas for developing a unit to study our novel, The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963. The purpose of the novel study will be to analyze elements of fiction as stated in the English 8 SOLs
8.5 The student will read and analyze a variety of narrative and poetic forms.
a) Explain the use of symbols and figurative language.
b) Describe inferred main ideas or themes, using evidence from the text as support.
c) Describe how authors use characters, conflict, point of view, and tone to create meaning.
e) Compare and contrast authors’ styles.

I'm still narrowing the focus and would accept any and all suggestions. In the past our novel study has taken too long and we need to streamline our process.